Beginner-Friendly Bag With Bows (Free Crochet Pattern)
Dress up your everyday look with this free crochet bag with bows pattern that adds a charming touch to your accessories while keeping it practical and fun.
This delightful little accessory brings a touch of playful charm and cozy elegance to your handmade wardrobe. Created by Vlastelina Crochet, the Free crochet Bag With Bows Pattern makes a wonderful project for anyone who loves crafting unique, stylish pieces. Featuring a neat structured shape adorned with sweet decorative bows, this accessory instantly brightens up any outfit with its cute and cheerful aesthetic.

Bag With Bows | Free Crochet Pattern
When it comes to gifting, this handmade gem is truly special. It makes a thoughtful and personal present for friends or loved ones on birthdays, holidays, or special celebrations. The sweet bow accents give it a lovely, girly flair that stands out from ordinary store-bought purses.
Beyond being a practical everyday companion for holding small essentials, it doubles as a charming decorative accent in your room when not in use. You can easily display it on a shelf or hook to add a warm, crafty vibe to your living space.

Working on this delightful project is a wonderful way to relax and express your creativity. Whether you keep it for yourself or gift it to someone dear, this adorable bow-accented bag is sure to bring joy and handmade warmth to every single day.
Easy Crochet T-Shirt Yarn Bag with Decorative Bows – Beginner-Friendly Pattern
This pattern will teach you how to crochet a stylish and sturdy bag using thick t-shirt yarn. The bag has a strong rounded base, a slightly tapered body, a comfortable handle, and pretty decorative bows on the sides. The project uses simple crochet stitches and clear shaping to help beginners create a practical and beautiful accessory.
Quick Overview
- Start by crocheting an oval base with single crochet stitches and increases.
- Work single crochet stitches in rounds to build the body of the bag.
- Add decreases on the sides to shape the bag.
- Crochet a handle and sew it securely.
- Make and attach small yarn bows on the bag’s sides for decoration.
Notes
- The bag is made using two strands of t-shirt yarn held together for thickness.
- A 7 mm crochet hook is recommended to work comfortably with the thick yarn.
- Markers will help you keep track of the start of each round.
- Use a thick needle to sew the handle and weave in ends.
- A lighter weight or smaller hook helps pull the bows through the stitches.
- Make sure your tension is even – not too loose or tight.

Skill Level
Beginner to easy-intermediate: You need to know how to:
- Make a slip knot and chain stitches.
- Single crochet (sc) stitches.
- Increase (work 2 sc in one stitch).
- Decrease (single crochet two stitches together).
- Work in rounds and keep track of rounds.
- Join yarn and sew pieces together.
Materials
- T-shirt yarn: 2 skeins (about 1.5 skeins used), work with 2 strands held together.
- Crochet hook: 7 mm.
- Thick yarn needle: for sewing and weaving in ends.
- Stitch markers: optional but helpful.
- Scissors
Bag Size
- Base: roughly 12 inches long and 7 inches wide (oval shape).
- Height: about 9 to 10 inches (you can adjust).
- Handle length: adjustable; default is about 15 rows tall.
Stitch Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | What it means |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| inc | increase (2 sc in one stitch) |
| dec | decrease (single crochet two stitches together) |
| sl st | slip stitch |
Step-by-Step Pattern
1. Making the Base
Foundation:
- Make a slip knot and chain 7 stitches straight.

Round 1:
- Chain 1 to start.
- Work 1 single crochet (sc) in the second chain from the hook.
- Continue working sc stitches across the chain.
- When you reach the end of the chain, work 3 sc stitches in the last chain to make the turn smooth.
- Work sc stitches on the opposite side of the chain.
- At the other end, again work 3 sc stitches in the last chain to keep the oval shape.
- Join the round with a slip stitch to the first sc.
Round 2:
- Chain 1 to start.
- Increase by working 2 sc in each of the 3 stitches you made at the turns.
- Work 1 sc in each other stitch along the sides.
- Join with a slip stitch to the first sc.
Round 3:
- Chain 1 to start.
- Continue working in rounds.
- Increase again at the turns by working 2 sc in each turn stitch to keep the oval getting bigger.
- Work 1 sc in each stitch on the sides.
- Join with a slip stitch to start of the round.

Your oval base should now be wider and ready for the bag body.
2. Building the Body
- Work 5 rounds of single crochet stitches evenly without increasing. This will build the height of the bag straight up.
Shaping the Body:
- After 5 rounds, you will start shaping by decreasing stitches on the sides to give the bag a rounded or tapered look.
- To decrease, work sc2tog (single crochet two stitches together) at the sides evenly.
- Continue working rounds, decreasing on sides until you have the desired shape and height (about 9-10 inches total).
3. Making and Attaching the Handle
Mark Placement:
- Find the center of the bag opening.
- Count 12 stitches on either side of the center and mark these spots.

Crochet the Handle:
- Attach yarn at one marked spot.
- Chain 6 stitches to start the handle base.
- Work in rounds along the chain to make a thick band.
- Continue for about 15 rows or until handle is your desired length.

Attach the Handle:
- Sew the end of the handle securely to the other marked spot using a thick yarn needle.
4. Adding Decorative Bows
- Cut 8 equal lengths of t-shirt yarn for the bows.
- Fold each piece to make 4 bows for each side of the bag.
- Use a smaller crochet hook or yarn needle to pull these bows through stitches along the sides of the bag.
- Tie and adjust each bow so that it sits neatly and looks even.
Finishing
- Weave in all loose yarn ends carefully with a thick needle.
- Trim any excess yarn.
- Check that all parts (base, body, handle, bows) are secure and neatly finished.

Finished Size and Use
Your bag should have:
- A sturdy and spacious oval base (about 12″ by 7″).
- A softly tapered body about 9-10 inches tall.
- A comfortable handle long enough to carry by hand or shoulder.
- Cute and charming bows decorating the sides for a fashionable touch.
This bag works great as a casual tote, for shopping, or as a unique handmade gift.
Conclusion
Crocheting this t-shirt yarn bag is a fun project that uses easy stitches and simple shaping to form a practical and stylish accessory. Working with bulky yarn might feel different at first, but the stitches quickly come together to form a strong, durable fabric. Adding bows gives a personalized look and completes the design beautifully. Whether you are gifting this bag or keeping it, your handmade piece will surely delight anyone who loves crochet and creativity.


